Wacom Intuos Creative Pen Tablet is a game-changer for anyone serious about photo editing. Whether you’re refining local adjustments or exploring the world of digital artistry, this tool offers precision, versatility, and ease of use to transform your creative workflow.
For anyone who hasn’t experienced the precision and flexibility of editing with a pen tablet over a mouse, you are truly missing out. Wacom, a leader in the pen tablet industry, continues to set the standard, and I recently explored one of their newest models to see how it performs.
The Role of Pen Tablets in Photography
A variety of peripherals can elevate your photography workflow, and some have remained indispensable over the years. Wacom tablets belong to this elite category, consistently relied on by professional photographers for their ability to enhance local adjustments in photo editing. Their efficiency and reliability make them a preferred choice among experienced users.
What is the Wacom Intuos Creative Pen Tablet?
Often referred to as a graphics or drawing tablet, this tool enables users to create digital drawings, animations, and precise graphic designs using a stylus. Photographers especially benefit from its accuracy when applying local edits to images.
The Wacom Intuos connects to a computer via USB or Bluetooth, functioning seamlessly with Windows, macOS, and Chromebooks. The tablet’s flat, smooth surface mimics a drawing pad, and the stylus detects pressure variations, allowing users to control brush thickness and opacity in software like Photoshop. Advanced models, including this one, feature customizable hotkeys. The tablet includes four buttons, preset on PCs to useful functions like shift, alt, ctrl, and the Windows key. While I left these as-is, Mac and Chromebook users can expect similarly logical defaults.
On the tablet’s underside, grippy feet provide stability, and a fabric loop at the top stores the pen conveniently. Small holes allow for attaching an optional pen tether, which Wacom sells separately.
The Stylus in Detail
The included Wacom Pen 4K stylus features customizable buttons for quick actions such as undo, zoom, or resizing brushes. By default, these buttons perform scrolling and right-click functions. Tapping the stylus on the tablet acts as a left-click. The “4K” designation refers to its 4,096 pressure sensitivity levels, which deliver pinpoint accuracy to ±0.01″ (0.25 mm).
The stylus employs electromagnetic resonance (EMR) technology, eliminating the need for batteries. Inside the pen, three spare nibs come pre-stored, complementing the one already installed.
Build Quality and Design
The Wacom Intuos tablet exudes quality craftsmanship and an elegant aesthetic. However, the tablet still uses a Micro-USB connector rather than the more modern USB-C. Its cable has a 90° angled Micro-USB plug that points left when exiting the top-right corner. This setup works well for right-handed users with laptops but may inconvenience left-handed users. In my case, my desktop computer’s placement to the right of my desk caused minor cable awkwardness. Thankfully, Bluetooth connectivity eliminates this issue and keeps the workspace uncluttered.
One clever design feature is the slight convex shape of the buttons, which doubles as a pen rest to prevent it from rolling away. Additionally, the pen incorporates a built-in nib sharpener, adding extra utility.
Real-World Use
Success with a pen tablet hinges on ergonomic placement and consistent practice. Position it where your mouse usually sits, and spend time mastering the coordination between the stylus and screen pointer. Once accustomed, the tablet offers unparalleled precision and vastly outperforms a laptop touchpad.
For multi-monitor setups, adjusting the settings in the Wacom Center simplifies usage. Mapping the tablet exclusively to your editing screen and enabling the Force Proportions function ensures the active area matches your monitor’s aspect ratio.
I tested the tablet in numerous applications, including DxO PhotoLab, ON1 Photo RAW, Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop, and Affinity Photo. It even allowed me to sketch in Microsoft Word. Across the board, its performance impressed me.
Pros and Cons
What I Loved:
- Stylish appearance
- Durable construction
- Responsive and user-friendly operation
- Ample cable length
- Spare nibs for long-term use
- Tidy Bluetooth setup
- Broad software compatibility
- Extended software trials included
Areas for Improvement:
- USB-C connectivity should replace Micro-USB
- A USB-C adaptor for USB-A users would add value
- More color options could appeal to diverse tastes
Final Thoughts
The Wacom Intuos Creative Pen Tablet is an excellent choice for photographers aiming to refine their editing precision or dive into digital drawing. Thoughtful details, such as the convex button design, elevate its usability. While the lack of USB-C connectivity and a bundled adaptor are minor drawbacks, these issues are easily resolved with available accessories. Overall, the tablet delivers exceptional performance and value.